Make park

OUR VIEW:

January 10, 2001

community

effort

By Herald Times Editorial Board

At Monday night's Gaylord City Council meeting, city officials discussed a plan that would have folded a skateboard park into the city's five-year recreation plan, paving the way for some possible grants and funding by the Dept. of Natural Resources. It's the furthest a plan seems to have gotten with any government entity, and it's gratifying to see city council members are lending an ear to the possibility a skateboard park may be an asset in our community.

But council members stopped short of approving the inclusion of the project in their plan, noting perhaps a skateboard park should be more than just a city design. Rather, suggested councilman Pat Mankowski, development and expense of such a recreational venue might best be shared countywide - city, county, townships and the youth who will use it.

He has a point.

Certainly, business owner Betty Moore's offer to the city for a long-term lease on which to construct a park is exciting, and while we don't know the terms, seems like a great opportunity. The park belongs in the city, and on property adjacent to Jimmy Jukebox, skaters would have ready access to concessions and restrooms, which if constructed separately, would add many more dollars to the cost of a project.

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Perhaps the county's Parks and Recreation Commission, which has done wonders to promote use of the Otsego County Community Center and Sportsplex - also in the city and easily accessible to our youth - should take a look at the project and what help - financial and otherwise - it could lend to such a project.

Such a park could truly be an asset to the community, attracting more vacationers and competitions; one more reason to make Gaylord a destination.